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oleander
(ō′lē an′dər, ō′lē an′dər)
noun
a poisonous evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) of the dogbane family, with fragrant flowers of white, pink, or red and narrow, leathery leaves
Origin: ML, earlier also lorandrum: altered < ? L rhododendron
See oleander in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A poisonous Eurasian evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) having fragrant white, rose, or purple flowers, whorled leaves, and long follicles containing numerous comose seeds. Also called rosebay.
Origin:
Origin: Medieval Latin
Origin: , probably alteration (influenced by Latin olea, olive)
Origin: of Late Latin lorandrum, rhododendron
Origin: , alteration (probably influenced by Latin laurea, lōrea, laurel, because of its similar-shaped leaves)
Origin: of Late Latin rodandrum
Origin: , from Latin rhododendron; see rhododendron
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